Is This the Smartest Way to Hang Kitchen Curtains?

The windows in your kitchen are probably the ones that get used (read: looked out of) the most. And the kitchen is certainly a room we spend a lot of time in. So what happens when you have a bunch of windows, but not necessarily the best view? You know, like if you have a front-row seat to see a brick wall? Or something even worse?

You could steal this idea from designer Christine Alcalay, the brains behind the Brooklyn boutique KIWI. (She didn’t have a bad view, but it could be a good idea if you do!)

Instead of draping the cherry-red gingham from the top of the window frame, Christine opted to hang the curtains midway down the window frame, leaving half of the window exposed above and about a quarter exposed below. It’s a perfect solution: You can hide anything that’s eye-level, and you don’t have to worry about sacrificing too much must-needed light. Plus, it adds a dose of design personality.

The playful red gingham seen here adds color to the otherwise neutral kitchen backdrop of brick, white, and butcher block. Paired with red striped floor mats and a longer window treatment in the same fabric hanging in the dining room, it is the perfect touch for a punchy, kid-friendly home.

Our point? Window treatments are often overlooked in the kitchen, but you might want to consider them — even if you’re worried about blocking light, and especially if you have a less-than-ideal view.